How to Treat Traveler's Diarrhea

Traveler's Diarrhea is commonly associated with international travel and is a result of ingesting contaminated food or water. While there are no official treatments for Traveler's Diarrhea, these steps can help you nurse yourself back to health quickly so you can enjoy the rest of your travels.

Things You'll Need

• Water
• Bland foods and clear liquids

Instructions

1. Drink plenty of water to flush out the toxins and rehydrate it. You contracted Traveler's Diarrhea from eating or drinking something that was focally contaminated and those toxins have to escape your body somehow. Frequent urination will help.

2. Take OTC medication. If symptoms don't improve within two days, stop by a pharmacy and pick up a bismuth subsalicylate, such as Pepto-Bismol. This is good for quick, temporary relief. Pregnant women, children and people with aspirin allergies should not go this route. Pack an OTC medication with you so you know it is safe.

3. See a doctor. If symptoms are severe--such as 3 or more bouts of diarrhea within an 8-hour period, bloody stool and fever--you can request an antibiotic or other professional treatment from a doctor.

4. Watch your diet. Consuming caffeine, alcohol and dairy products can make your symptoms worse. Clear soup, canned fruit juices, sports drinks and caffeine-free sodas can calm your stomach and replenish fluids. By the way, those stories about ginger ale are true. It really does soothe your stomach.

5. Ease back into a regular diet. Once you start feeling better, stick with a diet of bland foods such as toast, bananas, rice, cereals, applesauce and potatoes.